Doleuze thanks Prebble for lending a winning hand
Olivier Doleuze was quick to thank suspended premiership leader Brett Prebble after guiding Happy Reunion to a brave win in the Beijing Clubhouse Anniversary Cup (1,200m).
Prebble was suspended for three meetings by Australian stewards for his winning ride aboard Cristal Lily in the Golden Slipper on April 3, but gave Doleuze the leg up for the Happy Reunion ride after winning on him last start for trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai.
'Brett rang me and said this horse had a very good chance of winning again while he was suspended,' Doleuze said. 'So I called Ricky straight away to get the ride and I have to thank Brett for telling me about this horse.'
Not all went to plan for Doleuze in the run, and the Frenchman admitted he was worried after being taken on for the early lead. 'Happy Reunion is a brave horse and I thought I was in trouble when we had to work just a little bit too much early, especially with the big weight, but to his credit he dug deep and kept fighting,' he said. 'He has a big heart and was very brave.'
Happy Reunion kicked strongly in the straight to hold out fast-finishing Superior Unit by a neck. 'He raced strongly today and I think he can be a chance with a lightweight in Class Two.'
